Showing Off. Why Can't Bassists Do It??

I read a lot of threads and hear a lot in person that bassists don't do a lot of slapping or showing off on stage. Like it's not the thing to do? Guitarists ALWAYS show off what they can do. What makes this even worse is when bassists say they don't like to do it on stage. I have even heard stories of a bassists just getting the bad eye or even getting yelled at for showing off or slapping at jams. What the hell?? How come guitarists can get all the attention and show off all they want but when a bassist does it, it's like it is just not allowed or something? My theory, because it's harder to show off on a bass than a guitar, so people get extremely jealous

Sure there are people who only think of the bass (if they think of it at all) as a support instrument.

But then again there are lots of ways to show off.
1. playing fast notes
2. playing one supremely awesome note
3. shaking the floor with the low end
4. grooving so hard that people have to dance
5. transcribing coltrane or bach pieces for solo bass
6. slapping like you are a tin can trapped in a giant clock
7. standing very still while wearing a Bret Michaels hat, long leather coat with fringe, and playing a P bass with tort guard, bonus points for growing a chin beard and/or having rockstar style tats
8. sing lead vocals

and last but not least, pretty much the best way for a bass player to get noticed...

not every one wants to show off, not everyone needs to show off..including most guitar players..especially bass players. yes there is a supportive nature to the instrument/role that we play that should be served. you wanna wank? go home and wank in your bedroom to your content. dont do it on stage...it doesnt serve the songs the vast majority of the time, it only serves your ego

...that being said, playing only roots is lame and if your band doesnt support cool/tasty and even flashy/complicated parts that fit the song then you should ditch the band or educate them on your choices and the reasons behind them..youll find out soon enough if its an ego thing (usually with an insecure singer and/or guitar player)

playing a bunch of stuff just to try and look impressive = lame
playing a cool part that fits = cool
paying a cool part that fits and you dont make a big deal about it trying to look cool = awesome

not every one wants to show off, not everyone needs to show off..including most guitar players..especially bass players. yes there is a supportive nature to the instrument/role that we play that should be served. you wanna wank? go home and wank in your bedroom to your content. dont do it on stage...it doesnt serve the songs the vast majority of the time, it only serves your ego

...that being said, playing only roots is lame and if your band doesnt support cool/tasty and even flashy/complicated parts that fit the song then you should ditch the band or educate them on your choices and the reasons behind them..youll find out soon enough if its an ego thing (usually with an insecure singer and/or guitar player)

playing a bunch of stuff just to try and look impressive = lame
playing a cool part that fits = cool
paying a cool part that fits and you dont make a big deal about it trying to look cool = awesome

ok, my rant is done..that is all

Click to expand...

Geeze man, don't take it so seriously. And no one said anything about wanking off. Lol

A lot of people call it 'showing off' and think it is driven by ego. But it's not. It's called studying and working hard to know as much about your craft as you can. It's about knowledge, skills, and virtuosity.

Is Peyton Manning 'showing off' when he lights up an opposing defense with superior skills? Is a chef with mastery of many challenging cooking techniques a 'show off?'

I think the attitude that skills, knowledge, and chops are 'showing off' is a huge reason why the half assed music of today is boring and sucks so bad.

Even though I posted this thread, I actually do not show off a lot either. Haha. And when I do. It is nothing crazy. To be honest I love simple funky grooves and lots of fills thrown in the mix. I'm not going to go up and victor wooten anyone though haha. I would just like to see some acceptance for a bassist! IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK!?? haha